Thank you, Mr. Kakfwi. That question has been taken as notice. Item 6, oral questions. Item 7, written questions. Item 8, returns to written questions. Mr. Clerk.

Mr. Speaker, I have a return to Written Question 12-14(2) asked by Mr. Bell to the Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation concerning residents of the Home for the Homeless.

In response to your specific questions:

1. Is the Minister aware that the homeless residents were to be evicted on March 27, 2000?

I was not aware that the occupants were to be out of the shelter by March 27th specifically. However, I was aware that the occupants were to be out of the shelter toward the end of March. The Housing Corporation advised the homeless shelter's supervisor verbally at a meeting in early March that the 27th was to be the cut off date.

The shelter supervisor was again contacted on March 27th and told that it was okay for the remaining five individuals to remain in the shelter until March 31st. This will allow them time to access income support and the Salvation Army.

Captain Al Hoeft at the Salvation Army has been contacted and he advised that none of the remaining shelter occupants have inquired about shelter and that the claims of no vacancies are unfounded. There has been room for people provided they show up by curfew.

2. Were the shelter residents previously aware that they had until March 31st to find alternate living arrangements?

No. Instructions to the supervisor were to have the occupants out by March 27th. However, he may have misinterpreted this and advised the occupants otherwise.

3. What is the Minister prepared to do to assist people who are now without any place to stay?

Prior to announcing that the people were to vacate, arrangements were made with the Salvation Army to ensure people had a place to stay. None of the remaining occupants have contacted the Salvation Army to date.

4. Is there any form of emergency assistance these residents can access if there is no room at the Salvation Army?

There has been room at the Salvation Army as long as people access it in accordance with their rules. Additionally, the Salvation Army has stated in the past, that they will not turn people away during the cold weather.

5. Will the Minister ensure he will look into how this situation took place to ensure residents are not placed on the street with just hours of notice given?

I have looked into the situation further, and the occupants of the shelter can remain until March 31st to allow them time to make alternative arrangements such as contacting the Salvation Army and/or income support. In addition, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment has arranged for an additional five beds at the Salvation Army to help deal with the closing of the shelter.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Item 8, returns to written questions. Item 9, replies to opening address. Item 10, petitions. Item 11, reports of standing and special committees. Item 12, reports of committees on the review of bills. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Mr. Dent.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. The Member is seeking unanimous consent to waive Rule 70(5). Are there any nays? There are no nays. Bill 7 is ordered into committee of the whole for today.

Item 12, reports of committees on the review of bills. Item 13, tabling of documents. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Minister Handley. Item 13, tabling of documents. The honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, Mr. Allen.

Thank you, Minister Allen. Item 13, tabling of documents. Item 14, notices of motions. Item 15, notices of motion for first reading of bills. Item 16, motions. Item 17, first reading of bills. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. The motion is in order. To the motion. Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried. Bill 8 has had first reading.

Item 17, first reading of bills. Item 18, second reading of bills. The honourable Member for Weledeh, Mr. Handley.

Thank you, Mr. Handley. The motion is in order. To the principle of the bill. Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Bill 8 has had second reading. Accordingly, the bill stands referred to committee of the whole.

Item 18, second reading of bills. Item 19, consideration in committee of the whole of bills and other matters, Minister's Statement 1-14(2): Sessional Statement, Tabled Document 14-14(2), "Our Communities, Our Decisions: Let's Get on With It!", Final Report of the Minister's Forum on Health and Social Services, Bill 1, An Act to Amend the Education Act, Bill 3, An Act to Amend the Financial Administration Act, Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Motor Vehicles Act, Bill 6, Interim Appropriation Act, 2000-2001, Bill 7, An Act to Amend the Workers' Compensation Act, Bill 8, Supplementary Appropriation Act, no. 4, 1999-2000, Committee Report 2-14(2), Accountability and Oversight on the 2000-2001 Interim Appropriation, Committee Report 3-14(2), Governance and Economic Development on the 2000-2001 Interim Appropriation, Committee Report 4-14(2), Social Programs on the 2000-2001 Interim Appropriation, with Mr. Krutko in the chair.

Agreed.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Colleagues, I am pleased to appear before the committee of the whole today to present for your consideration and approval the interim appropriations for the Legislative Assembly.

The interim for the Assembly is based on instructions given to all departments by the Financial Management Board.

The main estimates that the interim is based on, funded a 14 Member Legislative Assembly, election year costs and Members' compensation based on the old provisions of the Legislative Assembly and Executive Council Act.

Mr. Chairman, the Legislative Assembly did not submit requirements for forced growth or new initiatives for inclusion in the interim before you today. Due to the timelines for submitting forced growth, we still did not have budget calculations for such activities as funding for committees, Caucus and Board of Management and implications associated with the new compensation and services to Members.

It is my intention to bring forward a business plan and main estimates that reflect accurately our costs and will include reallocation of funds that are contained in our current level of appropriations and justified forced growth.

Mr. Chairman with those comments as a background, the interim request is for $5,787,000 for operations and maintenance, and $150,000 in capital.

Mr. Chairman, I would be pleased to respond to any questions the Members may have. Thank you.